Well said, Jeri.

Max, I agree with what many have said, that it's too bad that it had to come to this, but a necessary evil is better than an unnecessary one.

I'm assuming that when Secret Santa time comes around again, we'll be able to log-out temporarily to post as "So-and-So's Secret Santa" to post messages to our Santees. My only other concerns are: (a) will I still be able to go to the library (and I go to more than one in the area) and post as a member from there?; and (b) will people who "lose" their cookies be unable to post until the problem is rectified, or will there be a way for them to post temporarily also?

I have to say that when I first checked out the Mudcat Forum, I did post as a GUEST until, as someone on this thread says, I got my footing. After a few posts, one of the long-time members thanked me for using a consistent "handle"; I didn't understand that post at first, till I saw firsthand what some of the anonymous GUESTs (and some GUESTs with spurious "handles") were doing to wreak havoc and cause such ill feeling among the membership.

It's regrettable that, with the impending change, people with all the best intentions will not be able to freely post and get the feel of the place without registering personal info that they might feel uncomfortable revealing to strangers; but I hope that those people will read enough of the new "flame-retardant" threads before registering to feel trustful and comfortable becoming Mudcat members.

As the song says, "It's your thang, do whatchoowanna do..." !!!

Sharon